Sex reassignment technology: the dilemma of transsexuals in Islam and Christianity

Ishak, Mohd. Shuhaimi and Haneef, Sayed Sikandar Shah (2014) Sex reassignment technology: the dilemma of transsexuals in Islam and Christianity. Journal of Religion and Health, 53 (2). pp. 520-537. ISSN 0022-4197 (P), 1573-6751 (O)

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (473kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The birth of people with confused or ambiguous sex makeup as a biological fact since the annals of history has posed the challenge of accommodating them within the binary gender of sociocultural systems. In this process, the role of religion as a defining factor in social engineering has been paramount. Major religions, such as Islam and Christianity, have addressed this issue within the frame of their God-ordained laws by devising a set of moral and legal imperatives specific to the ‘‘third gender.’’ Modern developments in medicine and biology, however, have made sex reassignment possible for this category of people, today called transsexuals. The question is: How do Islam and Christianity respond to it. After presenting an analytical view of both Muslim scholars and Christian religious authorities on the legitimacy of sex reassignment for transsexuals, this paper attempts to explore if such a dilemma can be resolved.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	4676/37536
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Binary gender, Religion, Sex reassignment, Transsexuals, Islam and Christianity
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of General Studies
Depositing User:	Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Shuhaimi Ishak
Date Deposited:	04 Aug 2014 10:10
Last Modified:	19 Jun 2018 12:29
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/37536

Actions (login required)

View Item